MAKKAH: Saudi security forces are ready to ensure the safety of pilgrims at the holy sites, especially at the stoning site of Jamrat in Mina, Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, director of Haj security at the Interior Ministry, said yesterday.
Security authorities have set 300,000 as the maximum number of pilgrims the new Jamrat Bridge can hold at a time.
“We have prepared 22 emergency plans,” said Al-Turki.
Addressing a joint press conference with Maj. Gen. Saad Al-Khilaiwi, assistant commander of Haj security forces, and Brig. Mohammed Al-Shahrani, commander of the special security forces, Al-Turki urged pilgrims to follow safety regulations.
“We have set out a special plan to organize the movement of pilgrims in different locations, including Makkah, Mina and Arafat, especially during the tawaf (circumambulation of the Holy Kaaba) and the stoning at Jamrat,” he told reporters.
Security forces also monitor the movement of pilgrims from Arafat to Muzdalifah to ensure a smooth flow of nearly three million faithful after sunset on Sunday.
“Our main duty is to guide pilgrims to take the right road,” Al-Turki said.
Police control the flow of pilgrims to different areas of Muzdalifah in order to avoid overcrowding. “We also prevent pilgrims from occupying areas allocated for the parking of vehicles in Muzdalifah,” he said.
Al-Khilaiwi spoke about the task of security officers in controlling the huge crowds that move toward the Jamrat.
“We have two main duties: Preventing pilgrims from squatting in public places, especially along the roads leading to the Jamrat, and controlling the flow of pilgrims to Jamrat, especially on the 10th of Dul Hijjah (on Monday), the first day of the stoning ritual.”
Brig. Mohammed Al-Shahrani, commander of the special security forces, said his forces would control the crowd in and around the Jamrat and make sure they move in one direction.
